Day 8 of 24DC + Weigh-In Results

One full week down!
woohoo!
Last week was tough, which the first 10 days always are [it's the cleanse phase]. So my body was kicking out all the bad toxins in my system and I was just a little "blah." HOWEVER, I now only have 2 more days after today on the cleanse and then it's the MAX phase, which is full of vitamins and nutrients and makes me feel AMAZING! So I'm looking forward to that and feeling like running again.

Ok. No more delays: Time for me Weigh-In Results:

Down 3.2 pounds and 4.5 inches this week!
WHOOP WHOOP!!
I say that's a pretty good first week!
That brings my total to:
-24.6 pounds
-23.25 inches
YAY!!

And with that being said, I was in complete shock when I got on the scale this morning.
I stepped on and off the scale just to be sure I was seeing it right..
and I was..
HELLO ONE-derland!! 

I say I'm off to a great start for a Monday and week #2!

20 Pounds Down!

Down 20 Pounds and 24 overall inches in 8 weeks! I'm so excited! I have done dieting for the majority of my teen/adult years so far and haven't ever stuck with it to get to this point at one time. A couple weeks ago I got to purchase a smaller size pair of jeans because mine were falling off..literally. Now, the ones I have are starting to get a little loose. Maybe in a couple I can go back and purchase the next size down.

My husband's band is playing a youth retreat at the beach June 1-4. I have such a long way to go to reach my goal, and I know I'm not going to be completely comfortable in a bathing suit by then, but I'm working my tail off this month. I'm DETERMINED to be a little closer to my goal and a little less "flabby" by then. Which brings me to my next news...Check out this little beauty I recently purchased for myself :)

 I had this necklace custom stamped by Debbie at The Run Home on Etsy. She did a fabulous job and it was exactly what I wanted. The large pendant displays three statements that perfectly define my weight loss efforts. PATIENCE. DETERMINATION. NO EXCUSES. I have come to the realization that weight loss is not a fast track thing. There will be those days/weeks where is seems like I am going no where. However, I know that if I stick to the healthy lifestyle/diet/workouts, there will be a better number on the scale soon. I am determined to reach my weight loss goals. There are so many reasons, which I will list in a later post, for wanting to be healthy. I know that I have to be committed to my goals and efforts to see the results I know. Lastly, I'm accepting no excuses from myself to miss a workout or slip on my diet. I know there will be those rare occasions in which I will "slip" or not have time for a workout in my day (which hasn't happened yet). I am just trying to learn and embrace that excuses are what got me to where I am in the first place.

Most importantly though, I can tell a major difference in the way I feel. I am eating clean to the most part which has up-ed my energy so much (in conjunction with my Advocare products of course). I've always heard "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." Well, I'm definitely not skinny yet, but I'm on the right road, and I can relate to that expression now. AND IT FEELS GOOD!!

Stay Blessed!

For more information about the AMAZING Advocare products, please check out my aunt's website HERE (she is an consultant). I promise, you will not be disappointed in any order. If you are looking to jumpstart your weight loss journey, definitely consider the Advocare 24 Day Challenge pack! It WORKS!!

I've come far...

On Monday, March 5, 2012, my daddy and I started the Advocare 24 Day Challenge. I had heard great things from people who had great results while doing the challenge. So, we started it. It was tough at first to stick to such a strict diet, but slowly, each day got easier. I completed the challenge (with no cheating might I add!) and my results were -11 pounds and -16 inches all over. With such motivation, I have continued my weight loss journey with success. After a total of 6 weeks since March 5th, I have lost 18.6 pounds and 23 overall inches! I still have a long way to go, but I'm well on my way. I am now going to gym at 6am 3 days a week to work out, along with some arm and ab work a few evenings a week. Tomorrow I am starting myself with a new challenge. On top of my 6am workouts 3 days a week, I am challenging myself with the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred!! I have attempted with before and it was HARD!!! However, this time around I'm much more motivated to be a healthier and happier me! Check back often and watch for my posts..I'll be blogging periodically through this journey.

Now answer me this (I'm now on the hunt to a challenge to start when this is over):
What health/fitness challenges do you give yourself to stay motivated and keep a short term goal in place to pursue??

What to know more about Advocare? My aunt sells it and you can check out her website HERE! It is a health and wellness company offering world-class energy, weight-loss, nutrition, and sports performance products along with a rewarding business opportunity. My most recommended products are SPARK, MNS, THERMOPLUS, and CATALYST :) However, I hear you will love them all!

Stop. Think. Execute.

I'm not working right now. My previous employer did not follow state guidelines as she should, so I left. My career goal is to work in a school system, and I wasn't going to jeopardize that by working in a day school (day care) that didn't keep with state standards and guidelines.

Therefore, I'm a SAHW (stay at home wife). It's been well over a year since I have been unemployed, and even then I was a full-time student and working in direct sales doing home parties for some great income with Premier Designs Jewelry.  I'm loving being at home more than I thought I would, except for one tiny little thing. I HAVE FULL ACCESS TO MY KITCHEN! Okay, so it's a little bigger than a tiny thing, at least for me. I eat out of boredom, more than I should. And I'm a little more bored now that I have our new house organized and on a cleaning schedule so it doesn't take but a little time each day to maintain, no lesson plans to write, no assignments to complete. I'm keeping myself busy though, just not as much as I should.

STOP. THINK. EXECUTE.

That has been my motto this week.
I started the 17 Day Diet last Monday, and lost 5 pounds last week! WOOHOO. This week was a little more challenging as far as motivation goes.

Last week was beautiful, so Roxy (my 7 month old dog) and I were able to get out and walk in our neighborhood each day. I was busy doing the above mentioned organizing and planning, which kept me from getting bored and getting in the kitchen.
I am much more bored now. I started the week completely unmotivated, which was a big set back. Sometimes I wonder if all this "killing myself" working out, and "strict" diet plan will be worth it in the end. Then, I stop. I think about my future with my amazing husband. He loves to be active, playing football, going to theme parks, going to batting cages, and much more. I want to be able to do those things with him without sitting on the side watching or getting too tired. I think about in a few years when we want to have children. I want to be a healthy mom, who has a healthy pregnancy and is a good role model for my children when it comes to eating and fitness. Those are the major things I think about. Today, this has kept me out of the kitchen. I even went to the park and walked a couple of laps today. Not great, but it was something (execution).

What are things that keep you motivated?
I'm always looking for new ideas for workouts to keep me from getting bored with what I'm doing.
Post any ideas/suggestions below! :)

Hope you have a great rest of the week!!

Stay Blessed!

Dread vs. Delight

There is so much going on in my life right now, job searching and interviewing, house hunting (just general), subbing every single day, and I've started this diet on Weight Watchers. 

I'm loving it. 

So Far, I have lose a total of 5.4 pounds! 

WOOHOO. 

It's not a lot, but it's a great start on this long journey that I have. 

I have recently gotten a gym membership with my mom and we have been trying to schedule a time to go check out this gym and get our first workout in. It has been SO long since I have set foot in a gym, over a year actually, but even then I wasn't going consistently. Well, today it has FINALLY worked out for us to go together. I'm filled with mixed emotions. 

For those of you that know me, you know that I HATE to sweat! I hate to be hot, and I hate to be uncomfortable. HOWEVER, I'm so looking forward to taking a step in the right direction. This gym time will be a great way to my mom and I to spend a couple of hours together a few times a week. It's a great way to rev-up my weight loss and take the leaps that I need to get where I need to be. My husband is thinking about joining as well, and he is doing the 7day free trail with me starting today. I have the full membership, and it would be great if we could work it out where he could go with me also! 

Above the dread of going to the gym in a few minutes, I'm completely filled with delight and excitement over this. I know it sounds so simple and you are probably wondering why does something so silly get me so excited...because it's a great step in the right direction. Every time I start to try to lose weight, I take big jumps and don't focus on the small steps to building my foundation. This time is different and small steps in the right direction are just what I need. 

I hope you all are having a fantastic Thursday, but guess what...

TOMORROW IS FRIDAY! 

WOOOHOO!

Visual Motivators :)

I'm a big time shopper! BUT, I've committed to myself and my husband that I'm not buying anymore clothes, other than anything extremely necessary or workout clothes, until I lose some weight. So I was online the other day looking at things I cannot buy (why? I have no idea!) and ran across these things..visual motivators for myself :)

I found this LOVELY bathing suit. 

I've always wanted a bathing suit from Victoria Secret, 

but just couldn't make myself pay what was on the 

price tag of most of them. 

However, I think that I will deserve and can splurge on a new bathing suit or two when I'm "beach body ready!"

I'm a dress fanatic!! I love cute, adorable dresses!! 

I would never be comfortable in this dress right now. 

Thanks so my father, I'm blessed (or cursed) 

with a big rear end HAHA. 

So, this is on my "TO GET" list when I lose the weight!!! :) Can't wait! 

So now, I can't wait to hear: Do you have any visual motivators?! I would love to hear about them! :)

Be Blessed Bloggers!